Some may have heard, the new song “Kisan” by Sikh artist Coolie which features popular UK artists such as Jay1 and J fado. However, this song is different to the usual collaborations made by these artists as it conveys a much deeper message. The song conveys the struggles of many Farmer’s in India who are conducting one of the largest protests in the world right now to contest laws passed within the government that will catalyse mass poverty and suffering within the Farmer community.
So why are the Farmer’s in India protesting?
Farmers in India have been rallying in recent months against three laws enacted Sept. 20 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The Indian government has argued the changes will give farmers more freedom, but farmers are concerned the new laws will drive down their products’ prices with no safeguards to protect them against corporate takeovers and exploitation. It is claimed that the government did not hold sufficient consultation before signing the laws into action therefore little time was allowed to adapt or have a say in such a life-changing decision for many.
The first, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, will allow farmers to deal directly with corporations and private buyers, as opposed to doing business through the Indian government. Up until now, India has provided farmers with Minimum Support Pricing (MSP), a fixed price that insures farmers of 23 crops against any substantial falls in farm prices. However, after the passing of these laws farmers fear that it will benefit corporatized agriculture and end the current system of MSP-based procurement of food-grains (essentially wheat and rice) by the government in state-run trading areas. As a result of this, millions of people will be left in poverty with insufficient income to provide for their families. Not only this but if farmer incomes fall, their consumption falls — which can have a domino effect on the whole economy of many states.
Protests against these farm laws have been dealt with extremely violently with, tens of thousands of police and paramilitary troops being deployed to halt a farmer march in Delhi, subsequently leading to clashes with the police. Police brutality such as the use of tear gas shells, water cannons and batons has been used to deal with what started as just peaceful protests. A photograph of a paramilitary policeman swinging his baton at an elderly Sikh man has become the defining image of the ongoing farmers' protest in India. The photograph, taken by Ravi Choudhary, a photojournalist with Press Trust of India (PTI), has gone viral on social media and has resulted in political tension - with opposition politicians using the image to criticise the way the protesters are being treated.
The support of many UK artists during this time has been extremely beneficial, and money profited off the song, ‘Kisan’ will go towards helping the farmers who are currently fighting for their livelihoods. Jay 1 and J fado's support of the farmers is valuable as it help spread awareness to a wider audience, rather than just those who know those affected. If you haven’t already, I recommend you give this song a listen. In the absence of news coverage of important global issues, it is always benefical to try to gain an insight into the struggles of others.
